Aristotle
Greek philosopher (384 to 322 BCE); studied in Plato's Academy until 347 BCE; founded the Lyceum in Athens in 335 BCE.
Aristotle did not write this page.
We collected these quotes from things they published elsewhere, and every quote links to where it was said. They have no account here and have not endorsed this site. Quotes are word for word; the short line under each one is our own restatement, not their wording. Their own site. Is this you? Claim it or ask us to remove it. Or tell us what is wrong here.
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Our reading
Their wordsFrom this it is also plain that none of the moral virtues arises in us by nature; for nothing that exists by nature can form a habit contrary to its nature.
↗Nicomachean Ethics, Book Two (tr. W. D. Ross, 1925)en.wikisource.org 1st of 2 in this piece
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Their wordswhile the friendship of good men is good, being augmented by their companionship; and they are thought to become better too by their activities and by improving each other; for from each other they take the mould of the characteristics they approve
↗Nicomachean Ethics, Book Nine (tr. W. D. Ross, 1925)en.wikisource.org
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Their wordsBut we must add 'in a complete life'. For one swallow does not make a summer, nor does one day; and so too one day, or a short time, does not make a man blessed and happy.
↗Nicomachean Ethics, Book One (tr. W. D. Ross, 1925)en.wikisource.org
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Our reading
Their wordsHappiness, therefore, does not lie in amusement; it would, indeed, be strange if the end were amusement, and one were to take trouble and suffer hardship all one's life in order to amuse oneself.
↗Nicomachean Ethics, Book Ten (tr. W. D. Ross, 1925)en.wikisource.org 1st of 3 in this piece
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Our reading
Their wordsTherefore virtue also is in our own power, and so too vice.
↗Nicomachean Ethics, Book Three (tr. W. D. Ross, 1925)en.wikisource.org 1st of 2 in this piece
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Our reading
Their wordsHappiness, therefore, must be some form of contemplation.
↗Nicomachean Ethics, Book Ten (tr. W. D. Ross, 1925)en.wikisource.org 2nd of 3 in this piece
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Their wordsPoverty and disease we perhaps ought not to fear, nor in general the things that do not proceed from vice and are not due to a man himself.
↗Nicomachean Ethics, Book Three (tr. W. D. Ross, 1925)en.wikisource.org 2nd of 2 in this piece
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Our reading
Their wordsHence also it is no easy task to be good.
↗Nicomachean Ethics, Book Two (tr. W. D. Ross, 1925)en.wikisource.org 2nd of 2 in this piece
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Our reading
Without being raised under right laws, it is hard to get a right training for virtue from youth
Their wordsBut it is difficult to get from youth up a right training for virtue if one has not been brought up under right laws; for to live temperately and hardily is not pleasant to most people, especially when they are young.
↗Nicomachean Ethics, Book Ten (tr. W. D. Ross, 1925)en.wikisource.org 3rd of 3 in this piece
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